Kendrick Lamar's Tribute for Kobe's Final Game Will Give You Chills

On Wednesday night, Kobe Bryant will play in his final NBA game. After a 20 year career, marked by titles, dominance, and I'm assuming at least one teammate in tears, the basketball maniac will finally hang up his Nikes. Now, because of the Warrior's quest for 73 wins, Kobe's been bumped off the main-stage of ESPN and onto ESPN 2 for his final rodeo, but just because his big night is being upstaged by history, doesn't mean that people aren't pumped. Kendrick Lamar, himself a child of Los Angeles, teamed up with Scoop Jackson to put together a tribute to a guy that Lamar grew up watching and loving. It's set to Lamar's song Levitate off his untitled unmastered album, and if it doesn't give you chills, you might have to check your pulse.

This season's year-long farewell tour has at times felt totally wrong for Kobe Bean. This is a guy whose whole life seemed to be mentally intimidating people and obsessively pursuing perfection, so it's felt strange to watch him take a victory lap and have everybody pretend that they were best friends with him all along; that the whole asshole thing was just an act. It's not how I thought Kobe would go out. But for me, this tribute has put everything right. Sure there were a few weird months of nonsense, but this is how we'll remember Kobe Bryant the basketball player. And it feels exactly right.

Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. From award-winning writing and photography to binge-ready videos to electric live events, GQ meets millions of modern men where they live, creating the moments that create conversations.